Thursday's letters: Koch brothers

Published: Thursday, April 17, 2014 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 3:30 p.m.

To the editor: No less than two Associated Press articles in the April 9 Times News targeted, under different ostensible news reports, Charles and David Koch. Note that Koch Industries employs thousands, pays huge amounts of taxes, and that the Koch brothers have donated hundreds of millions of their own money to social charities.

Constitutional, libertarian, conservative, billionaire industrialists, exercising their right of free speech by financing at least one organization that places commercials opposing the anti-constitutional, anti-capitalist activities of the political left (usually supported by the very same AP from which these biased reports masquerade as news), the Koch brothers seem to have become enough of a threat to the left-wing Democratic Party to justify attempts at Alinsky-style character assassination.

For those who sign on to the left-wing ďblame the Koch brothers for everythingĒ bandwagon, here are questions to ask yourselves:

1. Do you support a political party or politician who represents your personal views?

2. If you had billions, wouldnít you pay to further your views?

3. If so, why do you deny these successful entrepreneurs their right to do the same?

The answer you give will tell what kind of moral person you are.

Dick Kranker

Hendersonville

Impressive job

To the editor: Upon relocating to Henderson County in 1992, I became quite active in the political arena for the Sheriffís Office. I worked for Sheriff Abe Jackson, then George Erwin after the primary election in 1994. I campaigned for Rick Davis twice, as many did.

I was greatly saddened by the issue during Sheriff Davisís tenure. Thus I was anxious to observe how the appointed gentleman retired from the same department would address the position.

Sheriff Charles McDonald came into a hornetís nest, as we all know. He had many issues to address. He has conducted himself with the utmost professionalism, drawing on an extensive law enforcement background. Since he was appointed, we didnít at that time have the opportunity of reviewing his history.

Folks, itís impressive. There is an abbreviated version on the website at www.ElectSheriffMcDonald.com.

Better yet, stop by the headquarters on Erkwood Drive and Greenville Highway to read the full account. Itís open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Once you do, I am convinced you will cast your vote for Charles McDonald.

Please mark your calendars for the May 6 primary. Early voting is April 24-May 3.

Joseph Pirog

Flat Rock

An opportunity

To the editor: Having served in an elected position, Fletcher Town Council, I believe I am qualified to say no one individual is totally responsible for securing or accomplishing anything in government service. It appears that Commissioner Larry Young thinks otherwise. He claims he is solely responsible for Wingate being in Henderson County.

It is reckless thinking like this that tells me his time on the commission has passed him by. The perfect person to bring back discerning leadership to the commission is Bill Lapsley, a man I have known and recommended many times for his professionalism and quality decision-making over the past 30-plus years. His knowledge of cost and design of infrastructure and the proper procedures would serve all of us in the county well for years to come.

Letís not miss this opportunity to bring a qualified professional to our county government.

Jim Clayton

Mills River

Whoís accountable?

To the editor: It turns out there was a 2001 geological report warning of potential dangerous mudslides in the state of Washington. It went so far as to recommend that five homes be moved out of harmís way.

By 2004, those county leaders indicated a willingness to shore up dangerous slide areas, but nothing else. Nothing was done. Instead, they approved building seven more homes in the path of the slide. Those homes are gone.

Only questions remain.

Who was copied on the distribution of the warning geological report? Why was it ignored? Was it publicized? Were the homeowners and builders aware of it?

We have lots of steep hills here with homes perched on hopefully solid footings. But one wonders. Have there been any geological studies to support the construction of those homes? If not, why not?

The access roads leading to some of these homes must be difficult for emergency vehicles to navigate, particularly during inclement weather. Have our leaders considered such factors when approving construction?

Henderson County leaders seem to be elected because they are ďfiscally conservative,Ē or ďfiscally progressiveĒ in Washington state. Regardless, are any leaders, anywhere, ever accountable?

Only developers seem to win.

Bill Fitch

Hendersonville

No more cuts

To the editor: When the Affordable Care Act was passed, billions of dollars were taken from the Medicare Advantage to help fund the new legislation. While I think itís great to help more people have access to medical insurance, taking money from one population to give to another means that someone loses in the deal. Seniors are already struggling, and we cannot take any more cuts to this vital program.

I participate in a Medicare Advantage plan, and so far Iím pleased with the coverage. If benefits under my plan are reduced and my expenses go up, Iíll be facing some tough choices as Iíll have to limit spending in other parts of my budget. Signing up for Medicare Advantage meant that I should save an average of $1,000 a year in out-of-pocket costs compared to traditional Medicare. That makes a really big difference for me each month, and I really canít afford to lose it.

Programs that help senior citizens should not be put on the line for further reductions, but thatís exactly what has happened in the recent past. We must urge members of Congress to stand firm against any proposals that would further gut Medicare Advantage.

Patricia Rowell

Hendersonville

Certainly no sin

To the editor: The political season is upon us again, and I found myself in a most untenable position. I was mulling a decision regarding the least worst form of child-based breakfast food when I was approached by a man of ill repute: bad shoes, faded black knee-high socks, seersucker shorts, clad in last yearís Fatherís Day tie. Without a doubt, this is one of my elected representatives. I might have voted for him in the past, but itís hard to tell, or maybe I refuse to admit or recall.

So my moral dilemma. In one hand, I held the Fruit Loops my daughter requested, while in the other, I grasped the palm of a fruit loop, duly elected. As bad as that was, one of the two spoke. ďDr. Donaldson, can I count on your vote?Ē This became my dilemma.

In that moment, I put aside my years of mostly sober living, my appointment to superintendent of Sunday school and my vows of poverty and sobriety. I gripped his hand a bit tighter, looked him dead in the eyes, and lied. Truth is, I felt pretty good about it, because of this Iím certain ó it is no sin to lie to a politician.

<p>To the editor: No less than two Associated Press articles in the April 9 Times News targeted, under different ostensible news reports, Charles and David Koch. Note that Koch Industries employs thousands, pays huge amounts of taxes, and that the Koch brothers have donated hundreds of millions of their own money to social charities.</p><p>Constitutional, libertarian, conservative, billionaire industrialists, exercising their right of free speech by financing at least one organization that places commercials opposing the anti-constitutional, anti-capitalist activities of the political left (usually supported by the very same AP from which these biased reports masquerade as news), the Koch brothers seem to have become enough of a threat to the left-wing Democratic Party to justify attempts at Alinsky-style character assassination.</p><p>For those who sign on to the left-wing blame the Koch brothers for everything bandwagon, here are questions to ask yourselves:</p><p>1. Do you support a political party or politician who represents your personal views?</p><p>2. If you had billions, wouldn’t you pay to further your views?</p><p>3. If so, why do you deny these successful entrepreneurs their right to do the same?</p><p>The answer you give will tell what kind of moral person you are.</p><p><em>Dick Kranker</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>Impressive job</h3>
<p>To the editor: Upon relocating to Henderson County in 1992, I became quite active in the political arena for the Sheriff’s Office. I worked for Sheriff Abe Jackson, then George Erwin after the primary election in 1994. I campaigned for Rick Davis twice, as many did.</p><p>I was greatly saddened by the issue during Sheriff Davis’s tenure. Thus I was anxious to observe how the appointed gentleman retired from the same department would address the position.</p><p>Sheriff Charles McDonald came into a hornet’s nest, as we all know. He had many issues to address. He has conducted himself with the utmost professionalism, drawing on an extensive law enforcement background. Since he was appointed, we didn’t at that time have the opportunity of reviewing his history.</p><p>Folks, it’s impressive. There is an abbreviated version on the website at www.ElectSheriffMcDonald.com.</p><p>Better yet, stop by the headquarters on Erkwood Drive and Greenville Highway to read the full account. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Once you do, I am convinced you will cast your vote for Charles McDonald.</p><p>Please mark your calendars for the May 6 primary. Early voting is April 24-May 3.</p><p><em>Joseph Pirog</em></p><p><em>Flat Rock</em></p><h3>An opportunity</h3>
<p>To the editor: Having served in an elected position, Fletcher Town Council, I believe I am qualified to say no one individual is totally responsible for securing or accomplishing anything in government service. It appears that Commissioner Larry Young thinks otherwise. He claims he is solely responsible for Wingate being in Henderson County.</p><p>It is reckless thinking like this that tells me his time on the commission has passed him by. The perfect person to bring back discerning leadership to the commission is Bill Lapsley, a man I have known and recommended many times for his professionalism and quality decision-making over the past 30-plus years. His knowledge of cost and design of infrastructure and the proper procedures would serve all of us in the county well for years to come.</p><p>Let’s not miss this opportunity to bring a qualified professional to our county government.</p><p><em>Jim Clayton</em></p><p><em>Mills River</em></p><h3>Who’s accountable?</h3>
<p>To the editor: It turns out there was a 2001 geological report warning of potential dangerous mudslides in the state of Washington. It went so far as to recommend that five homes be moved out of harm’s way.</p><p>By 2004, those county leaders indicated a willingness to shore up dangerous slide areas, but nothing else. Nothing was done. Instead, they approved building seven more homes in the path of the slide. Those homes are gone.</p><p>Only questions remain.</p><p>Who was copied on the distribution of the warning geological report? Why was it ignored? Was it publicized? Were the homeowners and builders aware of it?</p><p>We have lots of steep hills here with homes perched on hopefully solid footings. But one wonders. Have there been any geological studies to support the construction of those homes? If not, why not?</p><p>The access roads leading to some of these homes must be difficult for emergency vehicles to navigate, particularly during inclement weather. Have our leaders considered such factors when approving construction?</p><p>Henderson County leaders seem to be elected because they are fiscally conservative, or fiscally progressive in Washington state. Regardless, are any leaders, anywhere, ever accountable?</p><p>Only developers seem to win.</p><p><em>Bill Fitch</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>No more cuts</h3>
<p>To the editor: When the Affordable Care Act was passed, billions of dollars were taken from the Medicare Advantage to help fund the new legislation. While I think it’s great to help more people have access to medical insurance, taking money from one population to give to another means that someone loses in the deal. Seniors are already struggling, and we cannot take any more cuts to this vital program.</p><p>I participate in a Medicare Advantage plan, and so far I’m pleased with the coverage. If benefits under my plan are reduced and my expenses go up, I’ll be facing some tough choices as I’ll have to limit spending in other parts of my budget. Signing up for Medicare Advantage meant that I should save an average of $1,000 a year in out-of-pocket costs compared to traditional Medicare. That makes a really big difference for me each month, and I really can’t afford to lose it.</p><p>Programs that help senior citizens should not be put on the line for further reductions, but that’s exactly what has happened in the recent past. We must urge members of Congress to stand firm against any proposals that would further gut Medicare Advantage.</p><p><em>Patricia Rowell</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>Certainly no sin</h3>
<p>To the editor: The political season is upon us again, and I found myself in a most untenable position. I was mulling a decision regarding the least worst form of child-based breakfast food when I was approached by a man of ill repute: bad shoes, faded black knee-high socks, seersucker shorts, clad in last year’s Father’s Day tie. Without a doubt, this is one of my elected representatives. I might have voted for him in the past, but it’s hard to tell, or maybe I refuse to admit or recall.</p><p>So my moral dilemma. In one hand, I held the Fruit Loops my daughter requested, while in the other, I grasped the palm of a fruit loop, duly elected. As bad as that was, one of the two spoke. Dr. Donaldson, can I count on your vote? This became my dilemma.</p><p>In that moment, I put aside my years of mostly sober living, my appointment to superintendent of Sunday school and my vows of poverty and sobriety. I gripped his hand a bit tighter, looked him dead in the eyes, and lied. Truth is, I felt pretty good about it, because of this I’m certain  it is no sin to lie to a politician.</p><p><em>Scott Donaldson</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p>